Washing machine provided with detergent lubricating means



g simms-sHEKT 1 WITH EILERSGAARD A. WASHING MACHINE PROVIDED DETERGENT LUBRICATING MEANS March 17,

Filed March 18, 1949 March 17, 1953 A. ElLERSGAAR-D 2,631,447

WASHING MACHINE PROVIDED WITH DETERGENT LUBRICATING MEANS Filed March 18, 1949 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 IN V EN TOR.

igger li'kzzsfg'aard BY I. I

Patented Mar. 17, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WASHING MACHINE PROVIDED WITH DETERGENT LUBRICATING MEANS 3 Claims. 1

My invention relates to washing machines for washing articles of clothing, and the like, and

particularly to a washing machine of the relatively small, portable type.

One object of the invention is to provide a portable washing machine which is small and of light-weight construction to adapt it to be readily moved from place to place and conveniently used in a bath tub or sink, or on a drainboard, or kitchen counter, and one which can be readily stored and concealed in a small area, such as a closet.

Another object is to provide a washing ma chine, of the character referred to, which includes a sheet metal housing having a tub-like bottom section adapted to contain a washing solution, and an upper or top section adapted to be detachably connected to the bottom section to provide a closure for the lower section, the two sections thus forming together a single compartment in which the articles are washed. Another object in this respect is to provide clamping means for holding the two housing sections in firm connection during the washing operation so as to effect a leak-proof joint therebetween, the clamping means being readily releasable so as to permit disassembly of the sections for the purpose of cleaning the interior of the housing following the washing operation.

Another object is to provide a washing machine of the type indicated in which the upper section is provided with an opening in its top wall through which clothes can be inserted into and removed from the machine and through which water, soap powder, or other washing media, can be poured into the Washing compartment, this opening being normally closed by a removable lid or closure element. v

Another object is to provide a machine of the type specified in which the bottom tub section is provided with resilient feet for supporting tie machine in a manner such that vibration and attendant noise is reduced to a minimum, and in which a hose, communicating with the interior of the bottom section, is provided for facilitating draining the washing solution from the machine. Another object is to provide a washing machine which embodies a perforate, cylindrical drum or basket for containing the article to be Washed, said drum being rotatable on a horizontal axis within the lower section of the housing and disposed in the Washing solution, the articles being moved through the solution during rotation of the drum.

It is another object of the invention to provide,

mission mechanism for rotating the drum.

in a washing machine of the type indicated, a perforate drum of improved construction, the drum being made up of a plurality of arcuate sections, certain of the sections being povited so as to provide openings through which the clothes can be conveniently inserted into and removed from the drum.

Another object is to provide a drum of the type specified Whose interior is divided into a pair of clothes compartments by means of a perforated separator or baflie plate, the baffle plate being of unique shape and operative to force the clothes through the washing fluid during one portion of the rotative cycle of the drum, and adapt to lift the clothes out of the washing fluid during another portion of the rotative cycle so as to permit draining of the washing fluid from the clothes. By this provision, the clothes are subjected to a more thorough washing action by being first forcibly impelled through the washing fluid to cause the fluid to be forced through the interstices of the fabric of the clothes, and then being quickly lifted out of the fluid to allow the fluid to flow or drain 01f from the clothes to produes, in effect, a further washing action. By the use of my improved washing machine the clothes are alternately forced through the washing fluid and subjected to a limited draining action, the over-all result being that the clothes are washed more thoroughly and in less time than when washed in conventional full-size or portable washers of the conventional oscillating agitator types.

Another object of the invention is to provide a portable washing machine, of the class referred to, in which the clothes drum is rotatably mounted within the housing by a novel means which greatly facilitates assembly and disassembly thereof, thus reducing the cost of manufacture and facilitating removal of the drum when it is desired to clean the same.

Another object of my invention is to provide a Washing machine, of the type referred to, which embodies a novel operating or power trans- In accordance with the invention, this transmission mechanism is disposed entirely within the upper or top section of the housing so as to be removable therewith. With the exception of an electric motor, which serves as the prime mover, the various driving elements are left uncovered within the interior of the top section of the housing so that they are exposed to the soapy washing solution to be lubricated thereby, thus avoiding the necessity of separately lubricating the parts,

33 an operation which is often neglected by the users of conventional washers, and thereby greatly prolonging the useful life of the machine and practically eliminating servicing costs.

Another object is to provide in a washing machine, power transmission mechanism, of the type referred to, which includes interengaging gear means on the drum and incorporated in the driving mechanism, means being provided for maintaining positive meshing engagement of the gears so that when the top section of the housing is placed on the bottom section thereof the driving gears are automatically disposed in meshing engagement to assure proper co-operation therebetween.

Another object of my invention is to provide a washing machine, of the class referred to, which is especially simple in construction and operation, one which is compact and thus requires a minimum of space for operation and storage, one which lends itself to mass-production methods of manufacture so that it can be made and sold at a relatively low cost, and one which is highly efiicient in performing its intended function.

Further objects of the invention are set forth in the following specification, which describes the washing machine as embodied in a preferred form of construction, by way of example, illustrated by the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of. my improved washing machine;

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view, ta zen on line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to 2 but showing the upper or top section of the washer removed to provide access to the interior of the lower tub section; and,

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view, taken on line di of Fig. 1, showing the means for securing the top and bottom sections of the machine together.

My improved portabl washing machine comprises a housing 5 which includes a bottom tub section 8 and a top section '5 adapted for attachment to the tub section. The bottom section 6 of the washer housing 5 consists of a box-like structure, preferably constructed from lightweight sheet metal struck up in a suitable die to provide a bottom wall 3 and upstanding side walls 9, ill, ii, and i2, the section being preferably square in plan view, as shown in Fig. 1. At their upper ends, the side walls S-iil are bent laterally outward and then upwardly, thus providing a horizontal seat or ledge 53. bounded by a perimetrical flange i l. Studs l5 suitably secured to the bottom wall s carry rubber or other resilient pads l6 whi h provide feet for supporting the washing machine in a bath tub, sink, shelf, or other surface. The bottom wall 8 has a drain opening ll through which washing fluid can be drained from the tub section 5, a hose !8 attached to the bottom wall by means of an angular fitting 59 being employed for directing the washing fluid into any drain pipe. Riveted or otherwise secured to the inner surfaces of the side walls 9 and i6, adjacent their upper ends, are substantially V-shaped bearing brackets the lower vertex portions of the brackets being rounded to provide semi-circular sockets 22 which are used for the purpose to be later explained.

Adapted to be rotatably' mounted within the bottom'section 6 of the housing 5 is a perforated drum or basket 25 for containing the clothes to be washed. The drum or basket has discdike end heads 26 between which extend spaced, perforated segments 21, the circumferential spaces between the segments providing openings through which the clothes can be inserted into the drum or removed therefrom. The openings lead to separate compartments 3% and SI, respectively, which are formed by a separator or bafile plate 32 which is adapted to force the clothes of the compartments 3e and 31 successively through the washing fluid in the tub section 6, and to permit the clothes to move downwardly in their respective compartments when the same pass a vertical position during rotation of the drum, so as to create a rubbing action, and permitting the fluid to drain momentarily from the clothes. As shown in the drawings, the openings in the periphery of the drum are normally closed by arcuate, perforated doors 33 and 34, these doors being pivoted to the drum and adapted to be opened to provide access to the interior of the compartments so as to permit loading and unloading of the clothes.

The drum 25 is provided with an axial shaft 35, the ends of which project beyond the heads 26 to receive cylindrical trunnions 36 made from wear-resistant material, and adapted to be rotatably received in the bearing sockets 22 so as to mount the drum for rotation within the bottom section it of the washer housing 5, it being noted that the periphery of the drum projects upwardly above the open top of the section 6. One of the heads 25 is provided with a large gear 3? which is driven by means to be later described.

The top section I of the washer housing 5, previously referred to, consists of an inverted boxlike structure stamped from light-weight sheet metal and bent to the required hape in a suitable die. The top section 1 has a top wall 39 and depending side walls 40, the lower edge portions of which are bent laterally outward and then downward to provide a flanged rim 4! adapted to be received in a slot in a sealing element 12 so as to attach the element to the lower end of the top section I. As shown in Fig. 2, the sealing element 42 is adapted to rest upon the seat or ledge 13 of the lowersection 6 so s to provide a fluid-tight seal between the upper and lower housing sections when the sections are clamped together by means to be later described. The top wall 39 of the section 1 has a rectangular recessed portion :33 which is provided-with a-rectangular opening 44 through. which the clothes can be lowered into the drum and removed therefrom, the opening being normally closed by a lid at having a, sealing ring 46 at its edge adapted to rest upon the recessed portion 43, and also having a handle 41 to facilitate lifting the lid.

From the foregoing description it will be ap* parent that the proper and perhaps the most convenient procedure to be followed in loading the clothes into the compartments 3B and 3| of the drum 25 is to remove the cover 45, open, in-succession, the individual doors 33 and 34 to allow insertion of the clothes, close the doors, and replace the cover it. warm water and soap flakes, or powder, can then be inserted through the opening 44, after which the lid 35 is placed on the top section to close the opening. It will be apparent that the lid 45 might be pivotally or slidably connected to the top section 'i, if preferred.

In order to insure a fluid-tight connection between the top and bottom sections 1 and 6, I prefer to employ a, pair of clamping devices, such as that shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings. The

The washing fluid, such as clamping devices 41 include threaded studs 48, the lower ends of which pass through elongated openings 49 in the curved portions of sheet metal handles 50 secured to opposite side walls of the bottom section 6, the studs having curved shoes at their lower extremities which retain them in place while permitting limited pivotal movement of the studs on the handles. The studs 48 are adapted to be swung to an upright position wherein they enter lots 52 formed in the substantially horizontal portions of angular ears 53 which are secured to the upper housing section 1. Thumb-nuts 54 screwed onto the upper projecting ends of the studs and down against the cars 53 act to draw the upper section 1 downwardly into firm engagement with the lower section 5 so as to provide a, fluid-tight joint therebetween. To open the housing, that is, to permit removal of the upper section 1, it is only necessary to unscrew the thumb-nuts 54 to a sli ht extent and then swing the clamping studs 48 downwardly, as indicated by dash lines in Fig. 4.

The clothes drum or basket 25 is adapted to be rotated by power means, to be next described. Mounted within a casing 59, secured against the inner surface of a side wall 40 of the top housing section I, is an electric motor 60, the armature shaft 6! of which projects from the casing and carries a small V-belt pulley 62. The motor 60 is connected in an electrical circuit which in-' cludes a switch 63 by means of which the motor may be selectively energized and deenergized.

The pulley 52 is connected to rotate a larger V-belt pulley 55 by means of a V-belt 66. The pulley 85 is rotatable on a short shaft 51 which is held in the opposite sides of a curved bifurcated arm 69, which has a hub pivoted on a stud H having its opposite ends supported by a side wall 40 and a bracket '12. The pulley 65 is provided with an integral pinion gear 13 which, when in meshing engagement with the large gear 3'! of the drum 25, rotates the drum to perform the washing operation. In order to insure positive meshing engagement between the gears 13 and 3'1, the shaft 6'! carries a guide roller 15 which is adapted to roll upon the peripheral surface 76 of the drum at one end thereof. By this provision, proper co-operation between the teeth of the gears 13 and 31 is assured to prevent binding or insufficient contact thereof so that when the top section 7 is placed upon the bottom section 5 the driving elements are automatically engaged. It is to be particularly noted that, with the exception of the electric motor 59, the power transmission mechanism elements are uncovered within the top housing section 1 so that they are exposed to the soapy water which is thrown upwardly from the lower portion of the housing during the washing operation. The particles of soap in suspension are thus thrown onto the operating elements and are thus utilized to lubricate the same so that further lubrication of the parts is unnecessary.

While I have herein shown and described the improved portable washing machine as embodied in a preferred form of construction, by way of example, it will be apparent that various modifications might be made therein without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Therefore, without limiting myself in this respect, I claim:

1. In a. washing machine: a housing including a lower section adapted to contain washing fluid and having an open top, and a hollow, dome-like section detachably connected to the lower section and having an open bottom and provided with an opening in its top wall, said sections together providing said housing; a closure removably mounted on the top of said upper section and adapted to close said opening; a perforate drum rotatable on a horizontal axis within the lower section of the housing and projecting upwardly into said upper section, said drum being adapted to contain articles to be washed; and power transmission means disposed wholly within said upper section of said housing for rotating said drum.

2. In a washing machine: a housing including a lower box-like section adapted to contain washing fluid and having an open top, and an upper hollow section of inverted box-like shape detachably connected to the lower section and having an open bottom and provided with an opening in its top wall; releasable interengaging means on said upper and lower sections for releasably securing said upper section to said lower section; a closure member removably mounted on the top of said upper section and adapted to close said opening; a perforate drum rotatable on a horizontal axis within said lower section of said housing with a portion of its periphery extending upwardly into said upper section, said drum being adapted to contain articles to be washed; and power transmission means disposed wholly within said upper section of said housing and operatively engaging said drum for rotating the same.

3. In a washing machine: a housing including a sheet metal lower box-like section having feet adapted to rest upon a support and provided with an open top, and a sheet metal, hollow upper section of inverted box-like shape detachably connected to the lower section and having an open bottom and provided with an openin in its top wall; a perforate drum rotatable on a horizontal axis within said housing and adapted to contain articles to be washed, a portion of the aeriphery of said drum extending upwardly into .aid upper section; and power transmission means disposed wholly within said upper section of said housing for rotating said drum.

ASGER EILERSGAARD.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 388,996 Mueller Sept. 4, 1886 922,122 Frazier May 18, 1909 1,108,047 Whitney Aug. 18, 1914 1,245,409 Voss Nov. 6, 1917 1,464,611 Kerrigan Aug. 14, 1923 1,470,245 Slider Oct. 9, 1923 1,501,746 Carter July 15, 1924 1,546,192 Berg July 14, 1925 1,860,351 Bell May 31, 1932 1,865,656 Watson July 5, 1932 2,134,048 Kessel Oct. 25, 1938 2,171,499 Busi Aug. 29, 1939- 2,264,165 Landgraf Nov. 25, 1941 2,266,757 Holland Dec. 23. 1941 2,509,939 Poland May 30, 1950 

